BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hershiser to Pitch Again on Friday

Orel Hershiser will make what could be his final minor league rehabilitation start Friday night for double-A San Antonio against Shreveport at San Antonio. “This could be the last one, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” said Hershiser, who has given up one earned run in 16 innings in three rehabilitation starts.

Hershiser threw 83 pitches for Class-A Bakersfield in his last start, which is about 10 pitches short of the minimum he feels he must throw in order to be ready to return to the major leagues after a 13-month absence because of reconstructive shoulder surgery.

If Hershiser excels for San Antonio, he could return to the Dodgers as soon as May 29 at Dodger Stadium against Houston.

Even though he gunned down Dave Magadan of the New York Mets at home plate last weekend, Brett Butler’s left elbow is hurting. Although he has not complained about it because he does not want to miss any games, Butler said his elbow has caused him pain during certain times since spring training.

It is serious enough that he finally consulted trainers about treatment ideas.

“It always hurts during the spring, but usually it goes away,” he said of the pain in his elbow. “So far this year, it hasn’t gone away.”

Alfredo Griffin threw a healthy round of batting practice Monday even though the Dodgers said that a sore right thumb was one of the reasons he was placed on the disabled list May 10. . . . Mike Hartley continued his recent struggle by allowing a run in three relief innings Monday. Hartley has given up runs in four of his last five appearances, allowing five earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.